Rivendell is a new venture formed specifically to develop, market and distribute the products of South African manufacturer Protea Turf Equipment in the European Union. It owns the long-term distribution rights for these excellent products and is committed to the successful development of the Protea brand in the UK and continental Europe.

Protea is an established South African manufacturer of a range of grasscutting and associated products. The company has been extremely successful in its home market for many years but has never exported to Europe. At Rivendell, we have collaborated closely with Protea to develop already successful designs to meet the specific requirements of the European market.

All Protea products have an excellent reputation in South Africa for reliability, performance and value for money. Their machines are used in 90% of their home market bowls clubs and all of the state municipalities. They are endorsed by the South African Football Association and are used in most of the country's test cricket grounds.

They are "Africa-proof", as they say over there, and we expect them to appeal here to contractors and local authorities for their ability to stand up to hard use, and to sports clubs and discerning private buyers who value the consistency of performance which only sound engineering can deliver. For 2005, a range of industrial-quality pedestrian cylinder mowers is being introduced in 8-blade and 12-blade versions, in cutting widths up to 36 inches.

All are powered by Subaru Robin EX engines for the best reliability and performance and are equipped with Datatag® anti-theft identification systems as standard. These will be followed later this year by a separate range of lighter-weight high-quality cylinder mowers designed primarily for the domestic market and smaller sports clubs.

Available initially at 20-inch and 25-inch cutting widths with 12-blade cylinders and low-cut bottom blade, the Greensmower versions of these new machines will be priced very attractively and will offer exceptional value to bowls clubs and cricket clubs.